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Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Ms. Duck and I flew out of Love Field in Dallas Saturday, the first time we have used this particular airport. Our ducklings drove and dropped us, so we didn't have to battle for a parking spot while they build a new parking garage.

The flight to Las Vegas was a little bumpy, but not a "white knuckler" by any means. Things slowed down once we landed at McCarren. It took quite a while for the bags to arrive and then the wait for a rent car at Alamo was 30-35 minutes. That's unusual for them, as the longest we have waited in the past has been less than 5 minutes.

Once we got our rent car it was off to the Luxor for a couple nights. Ms. Duck and I had built up enough points on our VegasSlots game we play on Facebook to get one of the nights comped. Nice!

We had never stayed in the pyramid, and had a difficult time finding our room. So many turns just to find the elevator. It must have been a designing nightmare for the engineers. The room was nice, but a little noisy and the property was extremely crowded. We never felt totally comfortable there and will probably look for another property on our next visit.

Once we were settled Saturday evening, we drove to the Rio so I could register for Event 57 of the WSOP. Once we got that chore done, we went next door to the Gold Coast and had a nice dinner at TGIFridays.

Sunday morning we were up-n-at-'em and took the short drive to the Rio. We were a little early, so Ms. Duck and I sat down in front of a couple video poker machines to try our luck. After dropping a few bucks there, we walked down to the tournament area and I took my seat.

When I begin a tournament, I almost hope my first few hands aren't playable so I can get reads on some of the other players, particularly those to my left. That wasn't to be on this day. My second hand was pocket jacks and I open raised from middle position, only to be 3 bet by the big blind.

Crap.

I called and we saw a 9 high board. I called his decent-sized bet and we saw an 8 on the turn. My opponent bet again and I tossed my overpair. I just didn't have a read and was afraid I had run into a bigger pocket pair. As play continued he showed down nothing but strong hands, so I think my fold was probably a good one.

The very next hand was A-K, so once again I raised. I received a call from the button and ended up losing to my opponent's A-J when he paired his J on the flop.

So, three hands in and my starting stack of $5000 is down to $3500. Not the start I envisioned.

Later in the first level, I once again get J-J. I raise it and get called by the same player that beat me earlier with A-J. The 6-5 T flop looks harmless, so I bet 1/3 pot, which seemed to be the popular amount. My opponent calls.

A two on the turn and I bet again, only to get 3 bet. My opponent had been very loose-aggressive, so his re-raise didn't cause a lot of concern. We both checked the river and he showed my 6-5 soooted, flopping two pair.

Damn.

I won my first hand near the end of the first level, checking my soooted 4-5 from the big blind. I was heads up with the SB and we saw a king high flop, but it gave me a flush draw, so I bet and received a call. The flush came on the turn, so I bet 2/3 pot and the SB folded.

Finally!

By the first break I was down to $2500 and getting close to push mode.

The first decent hand I got was pocket tens, so I pushed from middle position and stole the blinds. A little while later I pushed with A-Q. The UTG player had open raised and was a fairly tight player, so I knew he had a decent hand, but A-Q with 12BB is a no-brainer. He called and turned over pocket eights.

Whew. I was afraid I might run into a hand that had me dominated and was pleased to be flipping.

An 8 on the flop sealed my doom and just that fast, it was over. By far my worst showing at the WSOP.

But, as we all know, there are days where nothing works. You just hope it's not at a big event like this one.

I've got much more to report on our trip, but Ms. Duck is about ready, so I'll save it for another day.

We're staying at the Vdara for the remainder of the week. We caught a break at check-in when we were upgraded to an executive suite! Yeah bay-bee!

Pull for the Rays over the Indians today. That's where I'm putting my money!

Friday, June 26, 2015

Time to collect my prize for my second-place finish in our Vegas of Bust Poker League. Ms. Duck and I fly out of Dallas tomorrow, heading west to that big money-pit in the desert. I will compete in WSOP event #57. We start pitching cards at noon on Sunday.

Born in '57, fifty-seven years old, event #57. Guess that means I should finish 57th! Not MOJO territory, but I'd sure take it.

We'll stay Saturday at the Luxor, which is a new experience for us, and then move to the Vdara for the remainder of the week before flying home on the 4th of July.

Wednesday, June 17, 2015

Martinez (3-0, 1.33 last 3) gets the nod for the Cards. Milone (0-1, 5.06, last 3) takes the hill for the Twinkies. St. Louis has won 5 straight and Minnesota has lost 7 of 8.Both listed pitchers must start for action.

Tuesday, June 16, 2015

Kazmir (1-1, 1.72 last 3) takes the ball for the A's. Cashner (0-1, 8.47 last 3) goes to the bump for the Padres. Oakland has won 4 of their last 6 and the Padres have lost 5 of 7. The Athletics have beaten San Diego 6 of the last 8 times they've met.

Saturday, June 13, 2015

Two games look like winners on today's menu.$10 on Tampa Bay (-1.5 @ +145) over ChiSox

Archer (4-0, 1.05 ERA last 5) takes the ball for the Rays. Samardzija (0-2, 6.98 last 3) gets the nod for the Palehose. Tampa has won 7 of their last 10 and Chicago has won 3 of 4.$10 on Pittsburgh (-1.5 @ -115) over PhiladelphiaCole (3-0, 0.86 ERA last 3) toes the slab for the Pirates. O'Sullivan (0-1, 7.27 last 3) takes the horsehide for the Phils. Pittsburgh has won two straight and has beaten Philly 8 of the last 11 times they've met. Philadelphia has lost 7 of their last 8.
Starting Bankroll $1,500.00
Profit/Loss $50.75
Current Bankroll $1,550.75

Action is considered dead unless both listed pitchers start.

All picks are for entertainment purposes only with no guarantees implied. Any money wagered is at you own risk.

Friday, June 12, 2015

David Price (2-1, 1.14, last 3) gets the start for the Tigers. Salazar (6-1, 3.50, season) toes the slab for the Tribe. Detroit has won 3 of their last 4 and 9 of the last 10 versus Cleveland. The Indians have dropped 3 of 4.

$20 on Toronto (-1.5 @ +150) over Boston

The Jays send Hutchinson (2-0, 2.18, last 3) to the bump. Kelly (1-1, 6.39, last 3) gets the nod for the Red Sox. Toronto has won 8 straight. Boston has lost 3 in a row.

Thursday, June 11, 2015

JA Happ takes the ball for the Mariners. Happ doesn't have a decision in his last three starts, but has a 2.50 ERA. The Indians send Shawn Marcum to the hill. Marcum is 1-1 with a 7.53 ERA in his last 3 outings. Neither team is playing well with Seattle losing 8 of 11 and Cleveland 5 of 7.

$10 on Colorado (+140) over Miami

Chris Rusin starts for the Rockies. Rusin is 2-0 with a 1.45 ERA this season. The Fish counter with David Phelps, who is 0-3 with a 8.71 ERA in his last 4 starts. Miami has lost 4 of their last 5.

Tuesday, June 9, 2015

Corey Kluber gets the ball for the Tribe. Kluber is 3-1 with a 2.03 ERA in his last 5 outings. Roenig Elias toes the slab for the M's. Elias brings a 0-2, 4.05 ERA in his last 2 starts to the party. Cleveland has won 3 of the last 4 with Seattle. The Mariners have lost 8 of their last 9 games.

$40 on Pittsburgh (-200) over Milwaukee

Francisco Liriano takes the horsehide for the Bucs. Liriano is 2-0 with a 0.95 ERA in his last 3 starts. Taylor Jungmann gets his first MLB start for the Brew Crew. Jungmann is 2-3 with a 6.37 ERA in 9 starts at the AAA level this season.

Monday, June 1, 2015

Lefty Jaime Garcia gets the nod for the Redbirds. He has not been at the top of his game lately, posting a 1-2 record with a 5.00 ERA in his last three outings. The Brew Crew counters with Mike Fiers, who has also struggled as evidenced by his 0-2, 4.33 ERA in his last five starts. The Cardinales are hot, winning 6 of their last 7 while the Brewers are not, losing 7 of 8. They also burned up their bullpen yesterday in a 17 inning win. St. Louis has won 6 of the last 9 between the two teams.

Hi! I'm Lucki Duck.

About Me

I'm married with two kids who recently received college degrees. I have owned a small business for over 30 years. I enjoy playing small stakes live poker with friends. The small stakes creates a fun atmosphere where no one is too concerned about the money. Currently I play the Hyper Turbo tournaments on Bovada, Occasionally, I play on Poker Stars under "Poker Donk3y." Should we get the opportunity to play, I hope you'll stop by to pitch a few cards. I also do some small potatoes sports betting. I usually post my picks, so check in to see how my bankroll is holding up!